Spain will "legislate" immediate skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after childbirth: early skin contact between mother and baby has many benefits!

At the end of 2018, the Spanish autonomous community of Murcia enacted a law to guarantee the rights of infants. The law stipulates that babies born naturally or by caesarean section have the right to stay with their mother after birth and enjoy skin-to-skin contact. Spain's autonomous community of Murcia thus became the first region in the world to legislate "immediate skin-to-skin contact between mothers and babies after childbirth".

Skin-to-skin contact, as the name suggests, is the mother holding the baby, so that the baby's skin is in direct contact with the mother's skin. A growing body of research shows that skin-to-skin contact, especially early after birth, has positive and important implications for both mother and baby.

To Mom:

Skin-to-skin contact can prompt mothers to secrete oxytocin, reduce mother anxiety and enhance parenting behaviors, reduce postpartum bleeding and promote uterine contractions; and promote breast onset of lactation, which is suitable for women with different modes of delivery (vaginal and caesarean section). Mothers who have skin-to-skin contact are more likely to breastfeed exclusively.

For babies:

When the mother is 5 months pregnant, the fetus can feel the sounds of the outside world. After he/she is born, mom's heartbeat and voice are all too familiar. Changes in the environment can make babies a little panicked, and they crave the warm embrace of their mother, familiar sounds, and familiar smells. The skin contact between mother and baby after childbirth can make the baby feel safe and satisfied, and promote parent-child feelings.

Babies who have skin-to-skin contact with their mothers immediately after birth have a more stable heartbeat, breathing, body temperature, and blood sugar. Early skin-to-skin contact with the mother can also promote the baby's pumping instinct, the nipple connection is better, it is easier to drink precious colostrum, and the duration of breastfeeding is extended.

The specific methods of skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby are as follows:

To allow the mother to lie in the semi-reclining position is to raise the head of the bed by 30° (be careful to make sure that the mother's back is raised instead of the head). The naked newborn (diapers and hats) is then placed prone on the mother's chest. Your baby's head is tilted to one side, keeping the airway clear, and the mouth and nose can always be seen by the mother or the companion next to him.

The mother's arms are naturally bent and placed directly on the newborn's back. A thin dry blanket covers the mother's arm hugging the newborn, ensuring that the newborn's head and neck are exposed. During this period, the mother and baby interact freely, such as hugging and touching the newborn, gently calling the newborn; the newborn will wake up, crawl, hold the nipple, and begin to suck. More skin contact between dad and baby can also bring many benefits to the baby.